Microgreens, the younger form of the plants, are comparatively more nutritious than their mature counterparts but more delicate.
It is important to be careful during their growing period, especially when you are watering the microgreens, one of the most crucial steps.
Here is everything you need to know about watering your microgreens.
Water Quality Guidelines
Although the faucet water is more convenient one, a simple test can be done to check if it is good for your microgreens or not.
Compare two batches of microgreens grown, one with faucet water and one more with a different source like bottled water. In some cases the faucet watered plants have leaves that are yellow or curl, which means that the water contains an excess amount of chlorine in it.
Though they are safe to eat, the microgreens grown using bottled water looks and tastes better.
Following are some guidelines to water your microgreens in best possible ways:
Ideal pH of Water:
The ideal pH range of the water for your microgreens is 6 to 6.5 which is slightly acidic. It also survives in the range of 5.5 to 7, but it is always better to consider the narrow range.
You can check the pH of the water by using a pH strip which turns red when the solution is acidic and blue when it is basic.
You can alter the range by adding a pinch of baking soda to reduce the acidity and lemon juice to increase the acidity.
Process of De-chlorination:
Most of the water supplies contain chlorine added in order to kill microbes and make it safe to drink. But the chlorine affects the plant’s taste and looks.
You can use a carbon filter to separate chlorine or you can fill the water in a container and let it sit for 20 to 24 hours where the chlorine content gets evaporated.
Ideal Temperature of the Water
Not too cold or too warm!!
The optimum temperature is 50°- 60°F. You can increase till 70°F but not more than that. Make sure to always check the temperature using a thermometer.
Water Hardness
Hard water does not lather and leaves a semi white coating on the surface of your vessels.
The presence of minerals in the water makes it hard and it is a natural process. Calcium carbonate and Magnesium carbonate are the two important minerals which make water hard. Though hard water is not good for your daily life, it is very good for plant growth. But generally hard water happens to be alkaline, so it is better to check and adjust the pH before watering your microgreens.
Techniques of Watering Microgreens:
It is important to always remember that the microgreens are delicate. So you cannot just pour a mug full of water which may damage them.
There are 2 options:
- Spray Bottle
A clean spray bottle will do a great job by supplying the optimum amount of water to the young greens and do not damage them.
Pros:
Less supplies involved
Maintains seed moisture during germination
Cons:
May damage shoots
Increases humidity after watering
Time consuming
- Water Tray
In this method a tray filled with water is kept under the growing tray which contains holes from which the microgreens have access to the water and absorb the sufficient amount. But the growing medium should be shallow about 1 to 2 inches so that the roots of the tiny greens can reach the water. Make sure that there is water in the tray.
Pros:
Shoots remain dry and undisturbed
No risk of mold
Requires less time.
Cons
More supplies required.
How Often to Water your Microgreens:
It is suggested to water the microgreens everyday. However you can skip it if you are using a water tray. Make sure the soil is moist but be careful that it should not be soggy.
It is necessary to water twice a day during the initial 2 to 3 days after germination.
Using Fertilized Water in Case of Hydroponics:
In this system the microgreens are made to float on water containing fertilizers which supplies the nutrients to the young greens. Here in this method you need to add the nutrients to the water regularly as the nutrients are absorbed by the plants.
Make sure to maintain the temperature and pH of the water.
Final Thought:
Growing microgreens by taking care of all the necessary requirements is all worth it at the end where you get tiny greens full of nutritions.
We hope you find this article useful. Check out another blog on “Most nutritious microgreens to grow”
